INS Tarangini Joins Visakhapatnam Naval Events

India has begun hosting major naval gatherings in Visakhapatnam, where the international fleet review and the MILAN exercise are set to start on 18 February. Several Indian and foreign warships have arrived for the events, which are expected to feature around 75 naval vessels, including 20 foreign ships. The participation reflects India’s expanding maritime diplomacy and naval cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

INS Tarangini’s Significance

INS Tarangini, India’s sail training ship, is among the notable arrivals. Commissioned in 1997, it became the first Indian naval ship to circumnavigate the globe in 2003-04. It also represented India at the international fleet review during the Sri Lankan Navy’s diamond jubilee celebrations in December 2010. Tarangini was the only tall ship at that event and was the first vessel reviewed by the Sri Lankan President.

Indian Naval Presence

India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is expected to arrive shortly and is likely to be a major attraction at the review. The vessel is currently under deployment. The presence of such platforms marks India’s growing indigenous naval capability and its ability to host large-scale multinational maritime events.

Foreign Ships Arrive in Visakhapatnam

Several foreign vessels have also reached the naval dockyard. These include:

• Miguel Malvar, a frigate of the Philippine Navy.
• CGS Huravee, a patrol vessel of the Maldives National Defence Force.
• SCGS Zoroaster (P609) of the Seychelles Coast Guard.
• VNPS 17, a frigate of the Vietnam People’s Navy.

Their participation underlines defence engagement and maritime cooperation between India and partner countries in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

MILAN and IFR Importance

The international fleet review and MILAN exercise are important platforms for naval interoperability, professional exchange and strategic outreach. They strengthen India’s role as a maritime security partner and support wider cooperation on sea lane security, humanitarian assistance and regional stability.